Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-28

the philosopher promises to see that
she wants for nothing after | have
gone. Tomorrow Mamie, Frank
and start for New York, where in
two weeks we are engaged to present
Destiny" l have no fears for the
play, but Frank is so dreadful.y anx-
ious that he has made me feel
little nervous too.
From Frank Ford, in New York, to Mrs.
Archer, in Paris.
Mn Dear Friend: AT last l have
realized my fondest dreams. l am
too hurried and excited to write at
length, but l inclose a notice which,
in unique way of its own, will ex-
press to you the sentiments of the en-
tire press.
1t gratifes us to observe that Frank
Ford has caught on at last. For years
he has been acting in the capacity Of
foot ball for all the editors and pub
fishers of America and for his perse-
verance, if for no other reason, he
merits his present success. However,
his play, entitled "Desting," and
which is so powerfully presented by
Madamselle D'Argantal and her excel
lent company, is a dramatic master
piece which bids fair to live as long as
the stage itself.
From the Countess de yaricourt in Rome to
Frank Ford in New York.
M Dear Friend-I am now the
Countess de Varicourt, and my be-
loved and l are spending our honey
moon in Rome. If l had not been
supremely happy before the news of
your success would have made me so.
With all my heart l congratulate you.
xxxIu.
From Sidonie D'Argantal in Boston to the
Countess de VaricOurt in Paris.
My Dear Emily: =" Destiny" is
everywhere received with crowded
houses and terrific applause. l do not
know who is being most lionized, the
author or the actress. Wherever we
go we are brought out together, and
Frank is compelled to make speech.
He is quite an orator. There is a
rumor afoat that we are soon to be
married, but it is untrue. We have
never exchanged a sentimental word.
l am tired of so much notoriety and
excitement. l am longing for the
quiet summer have promised myself
in California. but it is yet two months
before / can enjoy it.
p. ST. have just received tele-
graph from the philosopher notifying
me of Effie's death. How / wish l
could have been with her to have
soothed her last hours. l do not see
how | am to go upon the stage to-
night. | feel so sad, and my eyes are
so infamed by excessive weeping.
xxxIv.
From Frank Ford, at Santa Monica, to the
Countess de Varicourt, at Paris.
My Dear Friend-Our season is over,
and Madame d. Argantal, her daughter
and are at Sidonie's house at Santa
Monica. l shall not stay. l shall 60
back to the ranch and the Philosopher
and write another play. My eyes
are SO much improved that
with the use of the proper
glasses, / can get along without the
assistance of an amenueses. am glad
of it. want to be alone.
xXxv.
From Frank Ford at Santa Monica to the
Countess de Varicourt in Paris.
Nh Dear Friend:-As the most
gorgeous sunset have ever be-
held Illuminated the western
horizon and the calm Pacific, yester-
day afternoon, Sidonia and l started
out for stroll along the bluff. We
were neither of us disposed to conver-
sation, and for quite distance we
walked along in silence. At last l
said, as paused where the view was
the finest, 81 am going away" ''In-
deed," said Sidonia, with "a compos-
ure that angered me. eyes" | ans
wered, II have sworn to myself never
to utter word of love to any living
women, and if remain near you any
longer, l shall perjure myself and
wrong my dead" Frank" she said
grayely, "let us sit down here,
1 have something to tell you."
She seated herself upon the cliff and
motioned me to place beside her.
Then she said, in voice that trembled,
81 am not Sidonie D'Argantal, l am
Nellie Porter" impossible" l cried,
''you were born in France and Madame
D'Argantal is your mother" 81 was
born in Boston" she continued, "and
Madame D'Argantal is only my
mother by adoption. But if you will
listen to me, without interrupting me,
l shall tell you the story from
beginning to end. Many years
ago, when you and l had
suffered less than we have since, we
were as Frank and Nellie-all in all to
each other. We would have re-
manned so had not an evil spirit in the
form of that heartless man, Carl Beck,
torn us asunder. When the blow fell
upon me it almost killed me, and to
escape the pity and inspection OF
friends, who knew me, became the
companion Of an invalid, Alice Ev-
ans, who was about to start for Cali
fornia. We came to Los Angeles and
took up our abode with Spanish
family. who for some reason
mistook us for each other.
The confusion of the names amused
us, and we did not try to correct the
mistake. Later on, and when l saw
that my friend must die, conceived
the idea of continuing to bear her
name, and of allowing the world to
believe that was dead. l made the
proposition to her, and so dearly did
she love me that she not only acceded
to it, but arranged to leave me all of
her property. One week later she
passed away, and as Nellie Porter was
laid to rest in the San Gabriel
church yard, while l as Alice Evans,
announced my death to Prof. Niue,
and set sail for Europe. For a short
time l remained in England, but was
so much afraid of being seen and dis
covered, that l soon made my way to
France, where / felt more at ease.
While staying for a few weeks at
Lyons, | became acquainted with
Mademoiselle D'Argantal and her
daughter, who was slowly dying of
cOnsumptiOn. Her name was SidOnie